1969 Camaro SS L78 X66 on E-Bay

[VinYenko]

Does anybody know this car or have any comments based on the ad and photos? I already asked him if his statement "THE CAR STILL RETAINS ITS CORRECT DATE CODED 396 DATED 12/26/68 WITH ENGINE CASTING NUMBER 3955272" is supposed to mean this is the original engine that came with the car. I'm waiting to hear back... Thanks.

E-Bay 1969 Camaro SS L78 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Camaro-1969-CAMARO-L78-SS-X66-396-375-PROFESSIONAL-ROTISSERIE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6161QQihZ009 QQitemZ190080874100QQrdZ1)

[VinYenko]

The Seller stated he's not sure if it is the original engine or not. When he purchased the car he was told that it was the original motor but it had been decked and he could not find the serial number. He said that everything indicates that it is the original engine including the correct date but he doesn't want to represent it as a numbers matching engine. He only wants to advertise it as a date correct engine.

[olredalert]

------This being a Norwood car,,,couldnt the serial# be by the bellhousing??? Wouldnt that be a kick???........Bill S

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Isn't code 79 79 rally green?

[Steve Shauger]

Yes http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

So, all that 'work' was done on this car, and they painted it the wrong color? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Thomas]

Here's what else I see incorrect:
Wheel opening moldings
Quarter Panel Louvres
Drip Rail Trim
Reproduction Oil Pan
That was just fron taking a quuick look at the ad. It states tht this is a car that belongs on a trailer. The only trailer it belongs on is the one taking it to a competent shop to fix all the things that are wrong with it.

[SuperNovaSS]

Now, that is bashing. Looks like a very nice car to me. God forbid a car have a repro oil pan!

Jason

[1railman]

[ QUOTE ]
Now, that is bashing. Looks like a very nice car to me. God forbid a car have a repro oil pan!

Jason

[/ QUOTE ]
Some would consider this bashing but, if this were my car I would want to know if I were living in la la land. We are all big boys and if you make statements about your car you should be prepared to hear the truth.

[Thomas]

I think that if you make a claim in your ad regarding the correctness of your vehicle, you need to make sure that the vehicle is indeed correct.
And there is nothing wrong with a repro oil pan. I have one on my car, but I don't make clains that it is a 100% correct car.
If I were looking for a correct car, I wouldn't even consider this one. However, if I were looking for a fun driver, this car would definitley be in the running.
It all comes down to the honesty of the description. I've lost track of the number of times I have seen 100% correct, no expenses spared, blah, blah, blah..., only to see an incorrect master cylinder, or a dash carrier without a clock in a car with console and gauges.
That says "I know nothing about these cars, but I'm going to get as much money as possible from someone who knows even less".

[SuperNovaSS]

I understand and agree with that. I missed that this was a correctness discussion.


Jason

[Tommy_Mathison]

No calk seam on the firewall?? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Tommy M.

[wrench]

i think quarter panel louvers are correct on an x-66 car.

[427king]

Why worry about seam sealer.louvers and oil pan when there are repro exhaust manifolds and no smog system,restamped 499 distributor,no 837 alternator,repro rosewood,car too early for ss rims,wrong oil filter,service dated 4346 carb????? I am in NO WAY knocking the car at all, im just wondering why the $10.00 items are being pointed out and the $10,000.00 items [collectively] arent ????

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Or the $10,000+ repaint! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Jonesy]

I like the front stripes http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[Salvatore]

Don't know what the final bid will be, but for that money ($55,000)it is not that bad a car. Nobody but this site would know if the pan is a repro, or the carb is a service carb or the dash carrier being incorrect. I am just not that crazy about color changes. That would bother me the most. Put a set of headers on it, some day-2 vintage tires and wheels, a Hurst Competition Plus, some Lakewood bars and ALL else is forgotten! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gifhttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
.... I am just not that crazy about color changes. That would bother me the most....

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with that. The other stuff can be changed or added - for the most part, but a total repaint is major!

[Lynn]

Not to pile on, but when did guys start putting the yellow paint on steering linkage nuts? They must have inspected BMW's at one point. I have seen that on a lot of Bimmers (my brother and I have owned over 40) but never on a first gen Camaro. Is this going to be the next "caution fan" sticker add on?

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Happy marks!

Ever have an M1 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif Love the 633CSI's, and 850's, and the new M5's, and the original M3's with the flares....

[Rainer]

Its one thing to choose to install repro parts instead of popping for expensive NOS or original stuff, but I have to take issue with the parking brake cables. If the builder of this car routes these below the exhaust system (yes he did), you gotta wonder what else might he might have messed up.

[92646]

At the expense of not knowing what I am talking about. I thought the parking brake cables did route below exhaust system. I also thought the 5-spoke SS wheels came on the early production Camaros and were stopped around the same time they stopped the chambered exhaust. My biggest pet peeve would be the gauge package with out the clock otherwise it looks like a nice car.
Mark Sheppard

[Z28DZ]

Brake cable routing..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[92646]

Any opinions on the SS 5-spoke wheel time frame?
Mark Sheppard

[Rainer]

OK, guess I was off on this one. I need to get some more sleep :konk:

[Rainer]

OK, just realized that I'm so used to looking at Chevelle undercarriages that I was expecting the cables to run between the floorpan and exhaust on this car, which is the case on Chevelles but apparently not on Camaros.

[427king]

Mark, i was told by 2 camaro experts that June 69 was around the time frame . I was told by the orig owner of my 69 rs/ss that the car had them and i questioned the 2 on it and they both said a June car could have certainly had them. Now the question is i assume that meant they started around June 69, not that they ended in June 69...

[Steve Shauger]

I have never personally seen any cars that have the SS wheels installed with any supporting documentation, howver I understand there is one with a window sticker. The option was available from the beginning of production until 1/8/69. The documented car was built 12A. Number produce with this wheel was 314.

[Salvatore]

The N/66 Sport Wheels (camaro) were available from September of 68 till January of 69. This was found in Jerry's book.

[m22mike]

SS wheels RPO N66 were available on Camaros from Sept 68 to Jan 69. Ref Jerry M's 69 Z28/SS396 fact book pg. 179.

Quater louvers correct on all SS396 regardless of trim level.

I won't get into all the junk wrong with this car, you guys have covered alot of it, E cables are indeed routed wrong.
I also have no problem with the color change, maybe they like Black, If they had added a silver grill,correct for a Black SS, it would have really set it off nicely.
The one thing that really stands out on this car and other Camaro's I see on the WWW, is the sophmoric use of made up paint daubs and inspection marks.

When I see a car like this, and it is a nice looking driver, I see a car that was built by non Camaro people. Many little things that could have been done correctly the first around, but because of lack of knowledge, and failure to seek out some advice, you end up with a car like this.
Some might say were "bashing" but remember the car is for sale and pointing out all the problems with a car like this is a great learning tool.

[m22mike]

[ QUOTE ]
The N/66 Sport Wheels (camaro) were available from September of 68 till January of 69. This was found in Jerry's book.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did not mean to repeat your post, It was not here when I started typing
Mike

[92646]

Thanks for the information on the wheels. I have read different time frames in different books so I was a little confused.
Mark Sheppard

[427king]

I had a 06a car[late june] that had them when the original owner bought the car and picked it up from ranger chevrolet in CT in fall of 69. I have been told on two occasions that that is more than possible by two people that know camaros. I also have a 7K tach and a Jan 480 distributor in a Sept 5th week 1969 Z that has NEVER been touched as per the only owner,so i dont think books etc are always the true litmus test of what happened on a production line or in the salemans office in any given dealership...

[Salvatore]

I agree with you about books Chuckie. Problem is if the author is highly recognized and respected then even if they are off a little they are still right. Get what I mean? Even if they are wrong they are right. I don't really think wheels are a big deal in this case. Most of these sellers on ebay have NO IDEA about what is right and wrong. I am just happy that some of them know the difference between camaros, chevelles, cudas and so forth. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427king]

Sam, you are 110% right.

[427king]

[ QUOTE ]
I am just happy that some of them know the difference between camaros, chevelles, cudas and so forth

[/ QUOTE ] Sam , I dont know about you but its tough trying to tell what kind of car is actually for sale when people are selling just the firewall http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Salvatore]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Especially from a distance! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[joey]

well said!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[*hotrods*]

Guys, it really disappoints me to see some of the bashing comments that have been said about me and my car. I would like to challenge any person to point out were I said the car is 100% correct. I know that it has a repo. oil pan a service dated carb and no 837 alternator and that some of the paint dabs may not be correct. It just amazes me how people jump to say what is wrong and never say the good things. I spent a long time restoring this car and try to at least add correct parts and do a nice neat job. This is a prime example of were the hobby is going. You have a guys who look at every nut and bolt and if it doesn't have the correct amount of threads showing then they are fast to let you know about it.

I thought that the Corvette guys were bad. I'm not trying to get $100k out of the car. I didn't put a fake tag or fake numbers on the block. I tried my best to do a nice Camaro. I painted the car black because I like black and I don't like green. Big deal, who cares what is wrong. I am asking $60,000 for a car that could not be built for $60,000. I am going to try to not loose any sleep over a few people who have nothing good to say about anything. Its like my dad always said "if don't have something good to say just keep it to yourself". Come on guys, I started not to say anything but I could'nt stand back and be stepped on. I'm a pretty easy going guy but some of the things said were pretty bad and yes I am very offended.

Take time to remember what these web sites are designed for "The Hobby" and not to bash each other.

[TDW]

Kevin...I think you did a fine job on it. I like the car. I agree, it takes a ton of cash to build one like that.

[*hotrods*]

Thanks Tony I appreciate the kind words. I am in this hobby because of my love for muscle cars. I only wish that everyone could admire each others car for what it is and not for what it has wrong with it. I have friends that have Camaro's and other muscle cars that are not perfect show cars but I always try to say something nice about their car.

This world was not created to be perfect and I'm far from being perfect but I try to treat others the way that I want to be treated. I thought about getting mad and to just not use this web site anymore but thats not me. I will continue to use it and try to learn and try to make great friends that enjoy muscle cars like I do.

Kevin

[BARNFOUND YENKO]

Kevin, Its nothing to get fired up about, all these sites including this one, protouring, camaros.net, team chevelle, nova, impala, etc.. are all the same, you have your guys that enjoy the cars for what they are and then you have the short bus riders that like to find a valve stem cap missing and point it out like they are some expert or something, you have a nice car and you know it, thats all that counts. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Here's part of your ad description. The car needs to stand up behind the words, and a '100 point car' will get picked apart like a 100 point car did when it won the 100 points! Nothing to get offended about, it's just a car.


TAKE YOUR TIME TO VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS AND PLEASE ANALYZE CAREFULLY AND ABSORB THE FINE QUALITY OF THIS AUTOMOBILE,CHECK OUT THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL ITS MIND BOGGLING . I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START SO I'LL START FROM THE FRONT. IT IS A SUPER SPORT L78 396/375HP. THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY NUT AND BOLT FRAME OFF RESTORED IN 2006 AND SHOULD BE A #1 100 POINT TRAILERED VEHICLE

[mrrec]

Indeed, some folks want to point out the flaws to make themselves look good. Then there are those of us who want to make a point: Describe the car accurately! Words mean something. Dealers are great for calling cars "flawless" and "100 point" and "#1" when the car is not.

Some, myself included, may just point out a couple of obvious items that do not support the ads claims. The car is what it is - you can't make it better by making blanket claims!

I have no issue or comment about the car of this thread, but this subject is coming up frequently.....

Dave

[Rowdy Rat]

[ QUOTE ]
Guys, it really disappoints me to see some of the bashing comments that have been said about me and my car.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought that the Corvette guys were bad.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pot, meet kettle...

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a pretty easy going guy but some of the things said were pretty bad and yes I am very offended.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fortunately, most of us "Corvette guys" have pretty thick skin (we've had to put up with comments like yours for a years now) and aren't as easily offended.

For what it's worth, I think you have a pretty neat car and I hope that you are able to get what you're looking for out of it... Regardless of how correct the "restoration" is.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

[*hotrods*]

Ok you guys are right but if you read I said "It SHOULD BE a 100 point car". Since when is "SHOULD BE" mean 100% accurate? I believe that it should be an 100 point car in my mine. And as far as the Corvette statement I should not had said because it is offensive. I said it in the heat of the moment.

Once again, its about the hobby. Not what is wrong or how stupid or crazy it is. When we fight and say bad things about each other it just destroys the hobby slowly because people restoring cars don't want to be subject to this type of behavior. Lets keep things positive and try to find the good rather than the bad with our hobby!

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
It just amazes me how people jump to say what is wrong and never say the good things.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's more fun to criticize than it is to praise. That said, this is probably among the toughest group of car guys on the 'net and it is often fascinating for me to read these threads and learn about what's correct and what's not. Learn from the critiques, correct what needs correcting, and take your free additional profit to the bank.

I'd love to have your car, especially with all the correct bits in place--if I could afford it! Nice looking car, "warts" and all.